Most regular perusers of the humble ramblings know that I love music and I have an eclectic blend on the old iPod. A song by Five Man Electrical Band recently caused me to think about a pet peeve of mine. Church signs. The tune was called “Signs” and it told about some warnings that dared to tell us, really hip young rebels of the 70’s, what to do.
Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign
I remember the opening part of the song quite well.
And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do
So I took off my hat I said imagine that, huh, me working for you
woah!
What struck me most is that the official Five Man Electrical Band website actually has that last word spelled “woah”. Hearing that song recently made me think about the mixed blessing of church signs. Some are clever and thought provoking. Most, sadly, are embarrassing or even harmful. I really dislike some of the signs that I have seen on display.
Will your eternal reservations be smoking or non-smoking? Threats of damnation seem to be a church sign favorite like this cheery little thought…
In Texas you can always count on this one during the searing summer…
If you think it is hot here.
Lovely. Forget amazing grace and forgiveness and redemption. Give’em hell!
Life is all fun and games until you die and go to hell! See? Makes you want to rush into that fellowship, doesn’t it? All I can say is…woah! The next sign is a little harsh for public display but wouldn’t be a bad message for the faithful.
Tithe if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk. Research shows we are much better at honking than tithing. But fortunately I have seen some signs that were a bit more graceful and thoughtful. I have to admit that I liked these.
It you want the rainbow you’ve gotta put up with the rain.
Opportunity knocks only once but temptation leans on the doorbell.
God so loved the world that He did not send a committee.
The final church sign might be a bit too theological for the casual passerby but it does contain the message of grace.
God grades on the Cross, not the curve.
Paul said it like this to the Ephesians. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
Jesus was not talking about church signs when He said “you know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times”. The signs of the times indicate to me that I need to get serious about following Jesus and finishing strong. To paraphrase the sign above…
Live it if you love Jesus. Anyone can honk!